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In the city where the NHL was born 92 years earlier, Alex Kovalev gave Canadiens fans something new to cheer about in the 100th season of the league's most storied franchise.

Kovalev, the Canadiens' biggest current star, scored two breakaway goals and another in the shootout in the East's 12-11 victory over the West.

"You can't ask for a better package than this," said Kovalev, who had three points and was named MVP. "Get voted in the All-Star Game by the fans, starting lineup, being the captain, get MVP. This is something to remember for the rest of your life."

The Lightning's Marty St. Louis scored twice for the East, including tying the score at 10 with 6:41 left in the third, and added an assist. Teammate and fellow Montreal native Vinny Lecavalier didn't have a point.

It was the second-highest scoring game in All-Star history, fifth decided after regulation and second in a shootout, including the West's 6-5 win in 2003.

"The last five minutes and going into the overtime, you could tell neither team wanted to lose. It certainly picked up at the end there," Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle said. "I've seen some of the games in the past, and I didn't think this one was too bad."

On a night filled with pageantry, there were the traditional breakaways and the usual absence of defense. What made this All-Star Game different was the presence and reverence for the players of long ago.

Several times, faceoffs were delayed as Hall of Fame Cana­diens such as Henri Richard, Dickie Moore and Yvan Cournoyer stepped out of the tunnel and waved to the crowd as part of the seasonlong celebration of the Canadiens' special anniversary.

"It was awesome," said Jonathan Toews, one of Chicago's two 20-year-old All-Stars. "Everything was just so in synch, and the skill was unbelievable. The fans were so involved with everything that was happening on the ice. It was just a perfect ending to a perfect weekend."